Hidden in the lush rainforests of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is one of the most inspiring wildlife experiences in Southeast Asia. Established in 1964, it was the first official orangutan rehabilitation project in the world, created to rescue orphaned, injured and displaced orangutans and slowly prepare them for life back in the wild.
For travellers from Pakistan and around the world, Sepilok offers a rare chance to see these gentle, intelligent primates in a semi-wild environment while directly supporting conservation. This guide explains everything you need to know before you go, from feeding times and ticket prices to ethical travel tips and how Malik Express Travel & Tours can help you plan a smooth, stress-free trip.
Sepilok is located on the edge of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve in Sabah, about 25 kilometres west of Sandakan city in Malaysian Borneo. The centre sits in thousands of hectares of protected lowland rainforest, where rehabilitated orangutans are gradually released and can roam freely, returning to the centre only if they choose.
When you visit, you are seeing conservation in action. The orangutans are semi-wild they are free to come and go, and the feeding platforms simply provide supplementary food for those still in transition.
Most visits start at the Nature Education Centre, where you can watch a short documentary and learn about the history of Sepilok, orangutan behaviour and ongoing conservation efforts.
A wooden boardwalk leads you through dense rainforest to the feeding platforms and the outdoor nursery, offering a taste of Borneo’s jungle and chances to spot birds, macaques and other wildlife along the way.
The main highlight is the feeding time, when semi-wild orangutans may appear at the platforms for supplementary fruit and milk.
Remember, sightings are not guaranteed. On days when food is plentiful in the forest, some orangutans ignore the feeding platforms entirely – a positive sign that they are successfully living wild again.
At the nursery, younger orangutans practice climbing and foraging skills in a controlled environment, visible to visitors through glass viewing areas to minimise human contact and prevent disease.
As of recent updates, a typical visiting schedule looks like this:
Daily, roughly between 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
10:00 am and 3:00 pm
Prices and timings can change, especially around public holidays and peak travel seasons, so always confirm with official Sabah tourism sources or your tour operator before travelling.
Sabah has a tropical, equatorial climate with two broad seasons:
For most travellers, the dry season is ideal, but Sepilok is open all year, and orangutan sightings are possible at any time.
For travellers from Pakistan, a typical route is:
Sepilok is a small but activity-packed area, and many travellers combine the orangutan visit with nearby wildlife experiences:
A sanctuary for the world’s smallest bear species, located just next door to Sepilok. Visitors can learn about sun bear conservation and view them from raised walkways.
A fantastic spot for bird watching and canopy walks, with a long canopy walkway and forest trails ideal for nature lovers and photographers.
About 38 kilometres from Sandakan, this privately-run sanctuary provides platform views of proboscis monkeys with fixed feeding times throughout the day.
Often combined with Sepilok on longer Sabah itineraries, the Kinabatangan River is famous for river safaris featuring proboscis monkeys, hornbills, crocodiles and sometimes wild orangutans.
To make your visit comfortable, ethical and memorable, keep these practical tips in mind:
Because Sepilok is a rehabilitation centre, responsible behaviour is essential:
This helps keep the orangutans wild and reduces the risk of disease transmission between humans and animals.
Around 3-4 hours to watch one feeding session, see the nursery and explore the boardwalks
A full day to combine Sepilok with the Sun Bear Centre or the Rainforest Discovery Centre
2-3 days in the area if also visiting Labuk Bay or heading on to Kinabatangan River tours
Sepilok is widely regarded as an example of ethical wildlife tourism, with the priority always on rehabilitation and release rather than performance or close-contact experiences.
Key ethical principles at Sepilok include:
By paying entrance fees and visiting responsibly, you directly support orangutan rescue, medical care and reforestation efforts.
Based in Islamabad, Malik Express Travel & Tours has over 35 years of experience in designing international holidays, including Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Here is how Malik Express can make your Sepilok and Malaysia journey easier and more enjoyable:
With Malik Express managing the logistics, you can focus on what matters most: enjoying an unforgettable encounter with orangutans in one of the world’s most important conservation centres.
A visit to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is more than just a photo opportunity. It is a powerful reminder of the fragile balance between humans and nature, and a chance to support real, long-term conservation work in Borneo.
For travellers from Pakistan and beyond who want a meaningful, well-organised wildlife experience, partnering with Malik Express Travel & Tours is the easiest way to turn a dream of seeing orangutans in the rainforest into a carefully planned, responsible journey.
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